Balloon cannula including a plurality of balloons

Abstract

A balloon cannula includes a housing defining a cavity, a cannula member extending from the housing and defining a lumen in communication with the cavity of the housing, an expandable balloon assembly disposed along the cannula member, and a fluid port adapted to be coupled to a fluid source. The expandable balloon assembly includes a plurality of balloons in a superposed relation. Each balloon of the plurality of balloons is in fluid communication with an adjacent balloon of the plurality of balloons. The fluid port is in fluid communication with the expandable balloon assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A balloon cannula comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity;   a cannula member extending from the housing and defining a lumen in communication with the cavity of the housing;   an expandable balloon assembly disposed along the cannula member, the expandable balloon assembly including a plurality of balloons in a superposed relation, each balloon of the plurality of balloons being in fluid communication with an adjacent balloon of the plurality of balloons; and   a fluid port adapted to be coupled to a fluid source, the fluid port in fluid communication with the expandable balloon assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon assembly is coaxially mounted about the cannula member. 
     
     
         3 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon assembly is formed of a compressible material. 
     
     
         4 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon assembly is integrally or monolithically formed. 
     
     
         5 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon assembly has a uniform diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon assembly has a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein each balloon of the plurality of balloons is configured to expand radially outwards. 
     
     
         8 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein each balloon of the plurality of balloons has a toroidal shape. 
     
     
         9 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein first and second balloons of the plurality of balloons have different thicknesses. 
     
     
         10 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein first and second balloons are radially compressible. 
     
     
         11 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the balloons extends proximally from a distal portion of the cannula member. 
     
     
         12 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the cannula member has a tapered distal end. 
     
     
         13 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the cannula member may be formed of a translucent material. 
     
     
         14 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon assembly is formed of an elastomer. 
     
     
         15 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable balloon assembly extends between proximal and distal ends of the cannula member. 
     
     
         16 . A balloon cannula comprising:
 a cannula member defining a lumen dimensioned to receive a surgical object therethrough;   an expandable balloon assembly mounted about the cannula member, the expandable balloon assembly is configured to engage tissue in a sealing relation, the expandable balloon assembly including a plurality of balloons axially arranged between proximal and distal ends of the cannula member; and   a fluid port adapted to be coupled to a fluid source, the fluid port in fluid communication with the expandable balloon assembly.   
     
     
         17 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 16 , wherein each balloon of the plurality of balloons is expandable radially outwards. 
     
     
         18 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 16 , wherein each balloon of the plurality of balloons is formed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         19 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of balloons is disposed in a superposed relation. 
     
     
         20 . The balloon cannula according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of balloons has a uniform diameter.